We live in a world awash in darkness, an era when it feels like the tumbling blocks for humanity’s downfall are outside our doorstep. Would you blame people for turning to darker sources for inspiration when the people running this world keep chirping that they’re doing it for their god in heaven?

Belgian black metal force LVTHN have an homage to the more beastly of spirits on “The Devil’s Bridge,” their second album and first in nine years. It’s a properly fiery affair, a record that blends heaviness with mind-fucking strangeness that take you somewhere else. The band, comprised of ZD, DS, DH, CV, KW, a shadowy group whose roles are not identified and who operate as a united whole, let their actions create the perfect ritualistic bloodletting. This is their collection of devotional music that flows through them not so much as songs but as hymns. It’s a massive turn away from the light and into the relentless chaos of the unknown.

“A Malignant Encounter – The Servant” starts with guitars scarring before black metal clouds settle over, howls ripping as the pace rampages into the heart of the storm. Furious melodies jolt as a blazing force takes hold and makes the ride even rockier, shrieks clawing at eye sockets, a frenzied burst ending in melodic haze. “A Malignant Encounter – The Master” has crazed riffs that turn into a tornado, chewing up ground as the guitars continue to menace. Claws dig into flesh as the punchy, mashing tempo leaves bruising, guitars dash, and the final moments scorch earth. “Cacodaemon” is delirious, a dizzying attack that combines with throaty wails and a clobbering front, and then things calm a bit, talk-like howls applying pressure. The pace combusts as the drums turn everything to dust, a boiling cauldron of heat spilling over, vicious cries hurtling toward the horizon. 

“Sum Quod Eris” blisters with heated fury, the vocals carving into your nervous system, slowly strangling as the guitars speed up the pace. Shrieks ravage as the leads get even faster, spiraling out and leaving carnage behind. “Grim Vengeance” scrambles brains, sweltering through tricky guitars, almost zany histrionics, leaving deep psychological damage. Howls melt as the playing gains force, the drums pounding everything into submission. “Mother of Abominations” is dark and churning, the vocals lacerating as the guitars catch fire, excitedly mangling. Guitars tingle as the whispers of, “Mother of abominations, breaker of chains,” sends chills that freeze you in place. The closing title track smashes, howls echoing, the pace wrenching and robbing you of comfort. Then guitars get dirtier as heads are bashed, the vocals tighten their grip, and everything slips slowly into the dark. 

“The Devil’s Bridge” is not to be approached lightly, as LVTHN make evidently clear on this record that feels like a calling of dark forces to ravage this reality. This is devotional music, but the record also is a question to oneself of what one is willing to do for existential freedom. It’s something for late nights when you’re trying to answer questions that lie beyond this plane.

For more on the band, go here: https://lvthn.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://shop.amor-fati-productions.de/en/

For more on the label, go here: https://amorfatiproductions.bandcamp.com/